How Does Smoking Affect My Life Insurance?

See the information and FAQs below to learn more about how tobacco use impacts your life insurance.

Smokers are more likely to have ongoing health problems and a shorter lifespan than non-smokers, making them more of an insurance risk. As a result, life insurance for smokers comes with higher premiums.
How much more will it cost to insure me if I smoke? Due to increased risk, premiums for smokers are anywhere from 40% to 100% higher than for non-smokers, depending on your health history.
I’ve only had a few cigarettes in the past year. Am I still considered a smoker? Yes. According to experts, occasional smokers are likely to turn into regular smokers and consistently start using tobacco.
What if I lie on my application about being a smoker? If you lie on your application and die from a smoking-related complication such as a heart attack or cancer, there’s a possibility your benefits will not be paid out. If you’re given a medical exam prior to being insured, your urine will be tested for nicotine, regardless of whether or not you have declared yourself as a smoker.